JPH08137794A - Cordless handwriting input PDA system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] In a cordless handwriting input PDA system, the wireless communication means in a portable terminal is miniaturized and made economical, and the handwritten character recognition rate is improved. [Structure] By adopting a wireless system that handles low-speed information and does not require collision control, the wireless module 13 is made compact so that it can be built in the portable PDA terminal 1. with this,
The host computer 3 can be accessed via the host wireless device 2 anytime, anywhere in real time without impairing the portability of the PDA terminal 1. On the other hand, if necessary, the personal computer-dependent dictionary difference reflecting the writing habits of the individual, the personal name, the place name, or the dictionary corresponding to the purpose are used by the host computer 3
To the PDA terminal 1 via the host wireless device 2. As a result, a large file memory or the like that hinders downsizing is not required, the inconvenient form of replacing the card memory is not taken, and the recognition rate of handwritten input characters is improved without enlarging the PDA terminal 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

The present invention relates to a PDA (Person)
The present invention relates to a portable data terminal called “al Digital Assistants”, which relates to a system capable of further miniaturization and improvement of convenience.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various attempts have heretofore been made regarding PDAs. Broadly speaking, a small portable computer with some kind of communication adapter to input / output data to / from the host computer, and a very specific application such as when a restaurant order is communicated from the seat to the kitchen. There is a form in which very simplified information is wirelessly input to the host computer.

Assuming a system which can be used universally to some extent, some form of communication means will be added to a small-sized computer, but the conventional system is relatively common as shown in FIG. That is, it is a system in which the portable terminal 1 and the host computer 3 are appropriately connected by a connection cable 6 with a connector as needed. In this method, the host computer 3 can be connected to the host computer 3.
Only when you are near. Therefore, it is not possible to access the host computer 3 in real time. Normally, the mobile terminal 1 is used alone, and the stored data is later input to the host computer 3 or the data of the host computer 3 is occasionally used. It will be used as if you were going to get it.

In FIG. 6, the portable terminal 1 comprises a display 13, a keypad 14, a common control section 15, a small capacity file memory 16 and a transmission / reception section 17, and the common control section 15 comprises a communication control means 111 and a keypad. Control means 1101, application program 112, display control means 11
3 and file control means 1102. The host computer 3 includes a common control unit 31, a large-capacity file memory 32, and a transmission / reception unit 33. The common control unit 31 has a communication control unit 311, a file control unit 312, and an application program 313.
The connection cable 6 connects the transmission / reception units 17 and 33 to each other.

Further, in FIG. 6, S1 to S22 are symbols representing a sequence showing the operation of the above system,
It works in the order of numbers. That is, first, when the application program 112 is started up, a screen display request for menu selection or data input is made to the display control means 113 (S1),
The display control means 113 displays a screen on the display 13 (S2). When the user inputs a key from the keypad 14 (S3), the keypad control means 1101 transfers the key input data to the application program 112 (S4). The application program 112 makes a file access request to the file control means 1102 according to the instruction content of the key input data (S5), and if the instruction content is data accumulation, the file control means 1102 accumulates local data in the small capacity file memory 16. (S6), if the access is to the host computer 3, the small capacity file memory 1102
The local data is read from (S7) and taken over to the application program 112 (S8). Application program 112
Requests data transmission to the communication control means 111 (S
9), data is transmitted from the communication control means 111 to the host computer 3 via the transmission / reception unit 17 and the connection cable 6 (S10, S11).

In the host computer 3, the transmission data is received by the transmission / reception unit 33 and the communication control means 311 and the reception data is handed over to the application program 313 (S12, S13). The application program 313 appropriately performs processing according to the instruction content of the received data. For example, in the case of a database access request, the file control means 3
A data beta access request (S14) is made to the file 12, and the large capacity file memory 32 is made by the file control means 312.
The data beta is updated / searched for (S15). If the access request is a search, the large-capacity file memory 3
The data beta search result is obtained from 2 (S16), and the search result is handed over to the application program 313 (S17). The application program 313 requests the communication control means 311 to transmit the processing result, that is, the reception report (for updating the database) / search result (for searching the database) (S1).
8), the reception report / search result is transmitted from the communication control means 311 to the portable terminal 1 side via the transmission / reception unit 33 and the connection cable 6 (S19, S20).

In the portable terminal 1, the reception report / search result is received by the communication control means 111 via the transmission / reception unit 17 (S21), and the reception report / search result is handed over to the application program 112 (S22). Processing such as displaying the results is performed.

For more real-time access,
For example, a system configuration as shown in FIG. 7 is adopted. This is a method using a so-called wireless LAN, and each mobile terminal 1
As if connected to a normal LAN,
The host 3 can be accessed. However, this system requires a wireless LAN adapter 4 for each mobile terminal 1, and this wireless LAN adapter 4 is usually large and expensive compared to the size and price of the mobile terminal 1. This is because in order to ensure compatibility with the wired LAN, high speed and collision control are required, and the circuit scale becomes large.
As described above, using a normal wireless LAN makes it difficult to call it a really simple PDA terminal in terms of price and size.

On the other hand, as the input means of the small portable computer, there are one using a small keyboard and one using a pen input, but in the case of a keyboard, there is a limit to downsizing in terms of operability. As for how to handle pen input,
There are a method of instructing a function item on the screen using a pen as an instructing means, a method of recognizing handwritten characters online and treating them as commands and data, and a method of treating handwritten characters as image information. When handling handwritten characters as image information, it is usual to use a pen as an instruction means to specify the processing. Among these, the method of recognizing and using handwritten characters is far more flexible and has more versatile applications than using a pen as a simple pointing device or image input, but the recognition accuracy and recognition speed become a problem. Often.

Further, when updating the programs and data built in the portable terminal, it is necessary to replace the card memory or load the data by an external floppy disk or CD-ROM. This hinders the downsizing of the terminal, increases the number of man-hours required, and causes a deviation in update timing by the terminal.

[0011]

As described above, in the conventional method, it is difficult to access the host in real time anytime anywhere without impairing the portability, and the input means can be used for the instruction and the image input by the pen. I was forced to use it while limiting it or suffering from the low character recognition rate. It was also inconvenient to update programs and data.

In view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional method, the present invention aims to reduce the size and cost of the wireless communication means in the portable terminal, improve the recognition rate of handwritten characters, and facilitate updating of programs and data. The purpose is to provide such a system.

[0013]

To achieve the above object, the present invention inputs commands and data using a handwriting input mechanism, an online handwritten character recognition function, and the handwriting input mechanism and online handwritten character recognition function. Means, a small-sized wireless module that can be built in the portable terminal, and a portable computer built in the portable terminal having means for wirelessly transmitting the command and data to the host computer using the small wireless module and receiving a response ,
A wireless device for a host having a transmitting / receiving function of a plurality of channels, a means for receiving commands and data from a plurality of portable terminals via the wireless device for the host, a means for processing the command and data, and a return of the processing result. A cordless handwriting input PDA system comprising the host computer having means for performing the above.

Further, in the above system, it is preferable that the small radio module uses a spread spectrum system by frequency hopping in terms of downsizing.

Further, in the above system, the host computer stores the personalized difference of the online handwritten character recognition dictionary and / or the difference according to the use of the word dictionary, and either of them is stored in response to a request from the portable computer. A means for transmitting is added to the portable computer, and the difference between the character recognition dictionary according to the personal ID and / or the difference between the word dictionaries according to the use are requested, and / or the difference between the character recognition dictionary received and the word are received. It is preferable to add a means for updating both or one of the character recognition dictionary and / or the word recognition dictionary by using one or both of the differences in the dictionary in order to improve the handwriting character recognition rate.

Further, in the above system, the portable computer uses a small wireless module to receive information downloaded by broadcasting from the host computer, and the downloaded information changes the data processing function as a terminal. A means for changing the built-in database is added, and a means for downloading the program or data to the mobile terminal by broadcasting via the wireless device for the host is added to the host computer. It is suitable for facilitating the update of.

[0017]

In the cordless handwriting input PDA system of the present invention, by adopting a small wireless module capable of multi-channel communication and not requiring collision control, the wireless module can be miniaturized so that it can be built in a portable terminal. , Real-time host access anytime, anywhere without compromising the portability of the terminal.

On the other hand, in the present invention, focusing on the importance of the word dictionary and the character recognition dictionary together with the recognition algorithm for improving the character recognition rate of the handwriting input, the dictionary difference corresponding to the individual reflecting the writing habits of the individual. Also, by downloading the dictionary difference for which the person's name, place name, or usage is known to the terminal side as needed, there is no need for a large file memory that hinders downsizing, and it is inconvenient to replace the card memory. We are aiming to improve the recognition rate of handwritten input characters without increasing the size of the terminal.

Further, according to the present invention, by adopting a means for simultaneously updating programs and common data by downloading by broadcasting, when the programs and data common to the terminals are updated, it does not bother the terminal user. It is possible to update all at once.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention. The PDA terminal 1 includes a common control unit 11, a display 12 with a handwriting input sheet, and a built-in wireless module 13, and the common control unit 11 further includes a communication control unit 1.
11, the application program 112, the display control means 113, the information segmentation means 114, the handwritten character recognition means 115, the word recognition means 116, the entry data editing means 117, and the pen instruction analysis means 118.
Is a transmitter 131, a receiver 132, and a TDD switch 13
3, a control unit 134, and an antenna 135. The host wireless device 2 includes a common anthena 22 and a plurality of built-in wireless modules 21. The host computer 3 has a very ordinary configuration, and has a common control unit 31, a large-capacity file memory 32, and a transmission / reception unit 33. The common control unit 31 has an application program 313 and communication control means 31.
1 and the file control means 312 are mounted.

The operation of this embodiment is performed by S1 to S28 in FIG.
It is done in order. That is, when any application program 112 is started up in the PDA terminal 1, the display control unit 113 is requested to display the menu selection screen and the data input screen (S1), and the display control unit 113 displays the display 12 (S2). ). A user inputs handwritten characters from the display 12 with a handwriting input sheet (S
3) and the information sorting means 114 inspects whether the writing area is a character input area or a pen pointing area, and if it is a character input area, cuts out character by character and the handwritten character recognition means 115. A recognition request is made (S4: handwritten character input), and the recognition result is notified to the entry data editing means 117 (S5). The entry data editing unit 117 requests the display of the recognition result character at the writing position, the display request in another display area, or the word recognition unit 116 for word recognition (S6). ) Do.
When performing word recognition, it is necessary to cut out words,
Therefore, the input data editing means 117 and the word recognition means 1
Although 16 exchanges data several times, such an algorithm is out of the scope of the present invention and will not be described in detail. The word recognition result (S7) is also requested to be displayed (S8) to the display control means 113. In that case, the single character recognition result may be overwritten, or the single character recognition result may not be displayed and only the word recognition result may be displayed.

On the other hand, if the writing area is the area of the pen instruction as a result of the inspection of the information dividing means 114, the pen instruction analysis means 118 determines whether the pen instruction is the system common area by the pen instruction coordinate notification (S9). It is inspected whether it is an area peculiar to the application program, and if it is a common area, the instruction content is further checked and the input data editing means 117 is notified (S10:
Recognition related instructions). The entry data editing means 117 switches the display mode of the recognition result according to the pen instruction, or obtains an opportunity to transfer the input data to the application program 112. When the delivery opportunity is given, the input data is passed to the application program 112 (S11). On the other hand, if the pen instruction is unique to the application program 112, the coordinate values are passed to the application program 112 (S1
2) The application program 112 analyzes the instruction content. It is possible that the instruction to the application program 112 also serves as a trigger for data transfer. In that case, the application program 112 requests the input data editing means 117 for data.

When handwritten character data and the like are input in this way, the application program appropriately processes, and if a search for the database of the host computer 3 is required, a search request is sent via the communication control means 111. To do. The communication control means 111 first requests the transmission section 131 of the built-in wireless module 13 for transmission (S13).
However, the built-in wireless module 13 performs SS (frequency spreading) and TDD (time division duplex) by FH (frequency hopping) by the function of the control unit 134, and realizes wireless communication resistant to interference in multiple channels. In response to the transmission request, the built-in wireless module 13 calls one of the built-in wireless modules 21 of the host wireless device 2 to set a communication path, and then takes over the transmission data from the communication control means 111 (S14). , Wirelessly transmitted (S15). The calling of the partner wireless module 21 is performed by transmitting a calling signal including the ID of the partner using a wireless empty channel.

The wireless module 21 of the host wireless device 2
Receives the transmission data from the PDA terminal 1 side by the reception unit 212, and receives the reception data via the transmission / reception unit 33 of the host computer 3 and the communication control means 311.
3 (S16, S17, S18). The application program 313 performs appropriate processing according to the request from the PDA terminal 1 side. For example, in the case of a database search, the file control means 312 is instructed of a database access request (S
19), the file control means 312 searches the database in the large capacity file memory 32 (S20), and returns the search result to the application program 313 (S21, S2).
2). The application program 313 reports the processing result to the communication control unit 311, the transmission / reception unit 33, and the transmission unit 2 of the host wireless device 2.
It returns to PDA terminal 1 via 11 (S23, S2
4, S25, S26). If the data is simply input, the database is updated in the sequence of S20, and the returned processing result is only the reception notification. If the wireless module is to be made extremely economical, it may be considered that the reception notification is not returned and only the transmission / reception is performed. The returned processing result includes the reception unit 132 of the wireless module 13 and the communication control unit 1 in the PDA terminal 1.
The application program 112 is taken over via S11 (S27) (S28), and processing such as search result display is performed.

FIG. 2 shows a system configuration in which the first embodiment is described focusing on wireless communication. The built-in wireless module 1 in the mobile terminal 1 and the host wireless device 2 of this embodiment
3 and 21 use the SS method based on the FH method described above, and have a data rate of 32 kbps or about 2 to 4 times that. Also within the reach of radio waves 32 kbps
Since several hundred channels can be simultaneously communicated with, collision control is not required. Such a wireless module is easier to miniaturize than a so-called wireless LAN adapter having a high-speed and complicated function, and is expected to be mass-produced because it can be shared with a high-performance (slave mutual communication, etc.) cordless telephone. Therefore, further economicization can be expected. Further, since such a wireless module is slower than a so-called LAN or the like, it is not suitable for transfer of high-definition image data, but a text-based database search or text-based data input is performed. Is enough for In the present configuration example, the host wireless device 2 is configured by arranging a plurality of built-in wireless modules 21, but this is because the host computer 3 has a plurality of communication ports.
In addition, the configuration is based on the assumption that the number of simultaneous connections with the mobile terminal 1 is not so large.

FIG. 3 shows an example in which the configuration of the host radio apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is modified. In this configuration example, the host wireless device 2 includes a plurality of built-in wireless modules 21 and a PAD (packet assembling / disassembling device) 2 corresponding thereto.
3 and a packet multiplexer 24. This is a configuration assuming a large number of simultaneous connections for the number of communication ports of the host computer 3. It can also be adopted when there are multiple hosts and they share a wireless interface. Further, when the host is connected to an existing LAN or the like, the interface matching can be achieved by connecting the host wireless device 2 to the existing LAN.

2 and 3 can be applied to the second and third embodiments of the present invention described later.

In this embodiment, unlike a conventional wireless LAN, a high-speed common channel is not used while controlling collisions, but spread spectrum is used by frequency hopping in the ISM band to handle low-speed information (same as a telephone line). By adopting a wireless system that enables multi-channel communication without requiring collision control, the PDA terminal can be easily downsized so that the wireless module can be built in the PDA terminal. It allows real-time host access anytime, anywhere without compromising the portability of the device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, functions related to a recognition dictionary and the like are added to the first embodiment. Specifically, the large-capacity file memory 32 of the host computer 3 stores a word dictionary difference for each application and a handwritten character recognition dictionary difference for each user ID (hereinafter referred to as a dictionary difference) 321.
It is transmitted in response to a request from the PDA terminal 1. The request / transmission sequence is a normal host access sequence (S1
~ S28), but includes the dictionary difference request command and the user ID as the data contents at the time of access.
The reception result is judged by the application program 112, and if it is the difference between the dictionaries, the word recognition dictionary of the word recognition means 116 is updated accordingly (S29), or the handwritten character recognition dictionary of the handwritten character recognition means 115 is updated (( S3
0)

In order to improve the character recognition rate when handwritten character recognition by pen input is adopted, the recognition dictionary is important together with the recognition algorithm, and the recognition rate is improved by reflecting the writing habits of the individual. If the person's name, place name, or use is known, the recognition rate is improved by combining it with a dedicated word dictionary or the like. In order to deal with all cases almighty, a large file memory etc. is required, which hinders the downsizing of terminals. There is also a form in which the card memory is replaced, but there is the inconvenience of having to carry the card with the terminal. Therefore, in this embodiment, a personalized recognition dictionary and a word dictionary (dictionary difference) for each application are downloaded as needed to improve the character recognition rate.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a download function for broadcasting common data and programs by broadcasting is added to the first embodiment. Specifically, common data and an original file of a terminal program (hereinafter, referred to as common data) 322 are stored in the large-capacity file memory 32 of the host computer 3, and the application program 31 is specified by an operator or the like.
In response to the request of No. 3, the common data etc. 322 are read out and broadcast in the same manner as the sequence of S19 to S26 (S29 to S34). In the case of broadcasting, the destination ID is not an ID for each terminal, but is set as a common name ID for all terminals or a group of terminals, and the PDA terminal 1 uses its own ID.
Not only the common data having the ID common to all terminals and the ID of the group to which the terminal belongs is also received via the receiving unit 132 of the wireless module 13 (S35). In the case of a broadcast format, it is difficult to provide a protocol such as a rebroadcast request for an error. Therefore, it is necessary to sufficiently add an error correction code for important data and correct the error on the receiving side. It is also conceivable to repeat the broadcasting itself a plurality of times regardless of the presence or absence of an error, discard the error data in block units, and connect the good data together. The correctly received data is used for updating the common data or the like 1121 in the application program 112 or, in some cases, replacing the program module for function update (S36).

In the present embodiment, since the programs and common data can be downloaded by broadcasting for simultaneous updating of the programs and common data, it is possible to easily and simultaneously change the functions of the terminals. Become.

[0034]

As described above, by using the cordless handwriting input PDA system of the present invention, the recognition accuracy can be improved by accessing the host computer in real time from anywhere at any time and by finely switching the recognition dictionary or the like as necessary. It is possible to obtain the effect that the functions of the terminals can be easily updated all at once by increasing the communication speed or downloading common data or programs by broadcasting.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a system focusing on a wireless system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another system configuration example focusing on the wireless system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional method.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example using a conventional wireless LAN.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... PDA terminal 11 ... Common control part 12 ... Display with a handwriting input sheet 13 ... Built-in wireless module 111 ... Communication control means 112 ... Application program 113 ... Display control means 114 ... Information segmentation means 115 ... Handwritten character recognition means 116 ... Word Recognition unit 117 ... Input data editing unit 118 ... Pen instruction analysis unit 131 ... Transmitting unit 132 ... Receiving unit 133 ... TDD switch 134 ... Control unit 2 ... Host wireless device 21 ... Built-in wireless module 211 ... Transmitting unit 212 ... Receiving unit 213 ... TDD switch 214 ... Control unit 3 ... Host computer 31 ... Common control unit 32 ... Large-capacity file memory 33 ... Transceiver 311 ... Communication control means 312 ... File control means 313 ... Application program

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Internal reference number FI Technical indication location G06K 9/00 S 9061-5H 9/62 G 9061-5H H04L 12/28 (72) Inventor Shinozawa Ichihiko 1-1-6, Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nihon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Tadashi Uchiyama 1-1-6, Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nihon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Kishimoto Tomio 1-6, Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nihon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Kenichi Hananabe 1-14-5, Kichijojihonmachi, Musashino-shi, Tokyo NTT Electronics Technology Corp. (72 ) Inventor Captain Tokioka 1-14-5, Kichijojihonmachi, Musashino City, Tokyo NTT Electronics Technology Co., Ltd. (72) inventor Takaharu Nakamura Musashino-shi, Tokyo Kichijojihon-cho 1-chome 14th No. 5 NTT Titi electronics technology within Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A handwriting input mechanism, an online handwritten character recognition function, means for inputting commands and data using the handwriting input mechanism and online handwritten character recognition function, a small wireless module that can be built in a mobile terminal, and the small wireless module. A portable computer built in the portable terminal having means for wirelessly transmitting the command and data to a host computer and receiving a response, a wireless device for a host having a transmission / reception function of a plurality of channels, and the host A host computer having means for receiving commands and data from a plurality of mobile terminals via the wireless device for processing, means for processing the commands and data, and means for returning the result of the processing. A cordless handwriting input PDA system. 2. The cordless handwriting input PDA according to claim 1, wherein the small wireless module uses a spread spectrum method by frequency hopping.
system. 3. The cordless handwriting input PDA system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the host computer is provided with either or both of a personalized difference of the online handwritten character recognition dictionary and a difference according to the use of the word dictionary. A means for storing and transmitting in response to a request from the portable computer is added, and the personal ID is added to the portable computer.
And / or a difference between the character recognition dictionary and the difference between the word dictionaries according to the use, and / or a difference between the received character recognition dictionary and the received word recognition dictionary. A cordless handwriting input PDA system characterized in that a means for updating both or either of the word recognition dictionaries is added. 4. Claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3.
In the described cordless handwriting input PDA system,
The portable computer is provided with means for receiving information downloaded by broadcasting from the host computer using the small wireless module, and means for changing the data processing function as a terminal and the built-in database according to the downloaded information. In addition, a cordless handwriting input PDA system characterized in that a means for downloading programs and data to a portable terminal by broadcasting via a host wireless device is added to a host computer.